Communications Expert

Job Posting: 30/Oct/2025

Closure Date: 13/Nov/2025, 4:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: ESF

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location: Italy-Rome

Duration: Up to 11 months

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination

_ FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations._

**Organizational Setting**

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Division of Agrifood Systems and Food Safety (ESF) at FAO provides strategic leadership to drive agrifood system transformation by supporting FAO HQ, decentralized offices, Members and partners in taking a systems approach to policy, programmes and projects, including through normative products, methods and tools; documentation and collective learning of systems approaches; and support for implementation at the national and subnational level. It also works to deliver on the FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety within the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031, including through the Joint FAO/WHO Scientific Advice Programme and support to the strengthening of national food control systems.

**Reporting Lines**

The Communication Expert will work under the supervision of Director, ESF

**Technical Focus**

The Communications Expert will lead all communications activities on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation for ESF. The goal is to increase the awareness and adoption of a systems approach among key stakeholders and enhance the visibility and uptake of FAO’s work on taking a systems approach.

** Tasks and responsibilities**

_
Lead and execute communications strategy_
- Execute communications activities aligned with the communications strategy
- Identify strategic opportunities for communications on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation
- Prepare communications strategies and plans for key opportunities, outputs, activities and events, adapting communication efforts to different purposes (e.g. resource mobilization, awareness raising, advocacy).
- Gain insights into ESF key target audiences of policymaker, practitioners and donors and use to guide communications strategy and activities
- Develop and monitor impact of communications activities and adapt strategy accordingly
- Maintain regular contact with the work FAO Office of Communications Partnerships Officer and other relevant functions and FAO Divisions/Offices/Centres, as applicable.

_
Lead creation of communication and awareness-raising materials_
- Draft key messages for ESF’s work on a systems approach to agrifood systems transformation and tailor to different audiences
- Prepare communications outputs based on normative publications
- Develop high-quality, compelling, clear written materials such as website texts, video scripts, news items, social media posts, narratives for infographics, and feature stories of systems change.
- Leads the research, data gathering and writing of stories of systems change
- Support Director, ESF, with communications activities

** FAO Standards and guidelines**:

- Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
- All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
- Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

**CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING**

**Minimum Requirements**
- University degree in relevant areas such as communications, media relations, social studies, language and other
- Minimum 12 years of relevant e